Candy maker has many other kitchen specialties, too

"I just love to cook. I’m domestic to fault.” That’s how Kristine Mongillo describes herself when telling how and why she began her business, Sweet Kristine’s, two years ago.

“I’ve always loved to cook ever since I can remember,” Kris confides. “I’m from California; grew up there. My sister would be the one helping my mother in the kitchen and I was the one helping my father pick and pack avocados. To be in the kitchen I would bribe my sister to change jobs with me. That’s where I learned to cook with my mom. When I was in the third or fourth grade, I decided to make macaroni and cheese for everyone. Not knowing any better, I put the Corningware dish on top of the stove and of course you know what happened—it exploded. I think that was the first thing I ever tried to cook alone. My mother was of the Jewish faith and my father was German Lutheran. We grew up with the best of both worlds.”

Kris’s next move was to Colorado and there she began working at a place called Happy Cooker. “It was owned by a princess of Tahiti, a great lady. There we held cooking classes, gave demonstrations and held classes on how to use special cooking equipment.”

When Kris’s children were grown and had left the nest, her next move was to Virginia. Her daughter was living here and Kris came to help with the children. “It was there I met my husband Vinny (Vincent) and that’s how I got to Gloucester. He had lived here before; and what a great place to live. The people are wonderful. When I was getting my licenses for my business, the people in charge couldn’t have been more helpful and great to work with. When I left Colorado they all told me I would be back, but no, Virginia is home now. I never want to move again.”